June 4, 2004

Assistant Directors of the Underclass, Unite!

By ROBERT M. KAHN

You may have noticed me at an academic conference or meeting sometime in the past -- standing by myself at the periphery of the gathering, trying to look aloof or somewhat unfriendly, exuding an aura warning others that I did not wish to be approached. I successfully cultivated that standoffish attitude because of a terrible secret that I was trying to conceal: The title of the academic position that I held at the time was preposterous.

Occasionally, though, I would be cornered.